My third book! (giveaway)
By Angela Watson
I’m very excited to announce that The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Educators is being released this week! This book has truly been a labor of love and I’m thrilled to share it with you all.
Last summer, I published Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching to share the story of how I went from being professionally burned out to feeling rejuvenated and ready to handle whatever life in the classroom brings. I explained how you can develop thought habits that produce an unshakeable sense of contentment, motivation, and purpose. The book drew upon principles of stress management, cognitive behavioral therapy, spiritual truths, and personal experiences. Awakened is not a Christian book: it was written to speak to ALL educators, regardless of their faith or lack thereof. But its principles can be connected to countless biblical truths by those who choose to seek them out.
The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Educators is designed to deepen Christian teachers’ understanding of the principles in Awakened. The guide elaborates on what God’s word has to say about renewing our minds. It’s 8.5 x 11 and is designed to be a workbook where you can record your thoughts and respond to what you’ve read.
Each devotion is 4 pages: the first page includes the corresponding Awakened reading and an opening reflection where you can write down your initial thoughts as well as notes from Awakened if needed. The second page has the devotion and a wide left margin for notetaking. The third page has the application questions (with space for your responses) and an additional scripture reading (with space to add other related Bible verses you’re reminded of.) The fourth page has a “to do” challenge with a work space and a prayer.
You can use The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Educators on your own or with a group in your community. I’m also offering the first (and only?) online Bible study developed specifically for educators. Beginning the week of August 5th and continuing through the week of January 27, 2013, we’ll be working through one devotion together on a weekly basis. The application questions will be posted on a private blog each Sunday. You can read and respond to the devotion any time during that week, and then the next set of questions will be posted the following Sunday. I conducted a focus group for the devotional book before it was published and we used this format–it was so much fun to grow with one another, share prayer requests, etc! I definitely think it enhances the experience to have a group of educators who are working through the same topics and issues as you are.
Here are the details and sign-up for the online Bible study group and to get ordering/purchasing information. You can also read the reviews of the book and online Bible study book club from those who participated in the focus group.
Also, if you weren’t aware of it, I write a separate blog of free devotions for teachers, so there are some resources there, as well.
Want to win a copy of the devotional study guide? Just leave a super short comment on this post sharing one way your faith has had a positive impact on your teaching or attitude toward your work as an educator. If you haven’t already bought Awakened, I’ll also send the winner an eBook copy of that, as well. The contest will close at midnight on Monday, July 23rd and a winner will be selected at random. If you decide to buy the book now and then end up winning the give-away, I’ll refund your money.
UPDATE: CONTEST CLOSED!
(I did not count the two entries that were replying to other commenters or the person who already has a copy and indicated she was not trying to win the book, just wanted to share how much she loved it. Those “side conversations” are perfectly fine–thank you for leaving them!) The winner is #67, Laura, who wrote, “I try to remind myself each day that the students I teach are God’s children. No matter how they act or what they do, they deserve to be treated as children of God.”
As always, I appreciate the thoughtful comments you all took the time to leave, and I am touched by your stories. If you didn’t win, but would like to participate in our online Bible study/book club starting August 5th, use this link to get Awakened and the devotional for $5 off (that’s $30 for both books including Priority Mail Shipping for U.S. residents). Another way to save money is to get the eBook versions.
Angela Watson
Founder and Writer
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My faith has enabled me to view the children as God’s beloved, and to love them with the love of the Lord. Just like me, they are unpolished treasures. I’m so thankful I’ve been chosen to minister to His children.
I view teaching as a ministry where God has placed me to be a light to the youth in my classroom. I teach in a public school where very often I am the only light of Christ in the life of some children. With this view I always try to find the positive in each of my students. My philosphy is that when I no longer can see the positive in each and every student, then that is the day that I no longer need to teach. Jesus set an example for us to follow when he died for us. Look within and see the greatness that was created in his image – have love for your brothers and sisters which includes his precious children – our future.
I try to remind myself each day that the students I teach are God’s children. No matter how they act or what they do, they deserve to be treated as children of God.
I had an instructor state that God said, “Feed my sheep.” He did not say, “Feed the cute ones, feed the fast learners, feed the ones that smell the best, feed the sheep with supportive parents…” God said to Feed His Sheep. That means all of them, every last one. They all deserve my best. When I become frustrated with a child or when I find it difficult to like them, I simply think “Feed my sheep.” and I am able to come back renewed and with a stronger sense of purpose.
Thank you for this, Alecia! I will remember this on those difficult days.
My faith has brought me so far. This will be my first year teaching and I have to put my trust in Jesus to help me with all I will face as an educator.